Trans Cafe

There have been a few of these homade-fluffy-pita, shiskebob-and-meat-pie Turkish joints popping up around town (Gyro King, a la Turca, etc.), and it's good to see this new one in the heart of the fin district, at the intersection of alley-streets Commercial and Leidesdorff. This is the former home of SRO -- I used to love the roast chicken -- whose passing I have been mourning for several months.

Zubi, one of the partners/servers, apologized that he was out of homemade pita by the time I got there (2 pm) and said he only opened Monday, so was still judging demand. I had a lamacun (labeled "Kurdish pizza" -- Zubi is a Kurd from Turkey) wrapped around salad, which was an incredible steel for $1.50. I also had a well-spiced shish kebab (I think it was $7). There were some meat pies under a heating lamp that I didn't try.

Zubi said "Oh yeah, I know those guys" when I mentioned the Turkish places above, and he said his place was "more sandwiches" to cater to the downtown lunch crowd (there are carved roast turkey and roast beef sandwiches, salads, etc.). He apologized that the crust of the lamacun was too crispy today because it was the first day they tried it, and promised it would be better next time. I would not have noticed, though.

Recommended from Chowhound

It's the season of presents, ornaments, bright reds and golds. Watch Chef Jayce Baudry channel all that inspiration into his latest creation, the Christmas Present Cake. This is the ultimate holiday table center piece.

If you want to spend more time caroling, and sipping wine instead of hanging in the kitchen, watch Chef Jansen Chan (International Culinary Center). make colored sugar, the easiest way to make basic sugar cookies shine on your holiday table.

The holidays mean it's time for bubbly. Let Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) educator Vanessa Price teach you how to open a bottle properly and safely: without hurting somebody, or ruining that spark.